Running roads, running trails, Reflecting.: New Toy

Friday, April 6, 2012

New Toy

I received my new Garmin 110 in the mail yesterday. It's a small wrist watch sized tool that only gauges Miles,Pace and heart-rate. Oh, and it displays the time too. I still have my Garmin 301 and it still works. By todays standards, the 301 is BIG and old school (manufactured in 2005!) it's really BIG compared to the latest GPS wrist gadgets. About two years ago I told myself I wouldn't worry about distance or pace anymore. I'll just run according by time on my feet. But I found myself asking others I run with, "How far did we run?" And at the 5K last week, which was supposed to be 3 laps of 1.1 miles, I ran the first lap in 6:40! "NO WAY!" I don't run that fast! I found out each lap was just under 1 mile. I wondered what my pace really was.
I grew up with a Dad who was a statistician. Everything was put into a mathematical formula. I can still hear my Dad say "Get me a pencil!" (back before the calculator).
Our vacations were broken down into itineraries we were supposed to follow to the tee.
Bathroom break on a road trip? "Wait till we need to gas up!" Or we'd pull over by the side of the road and find a tree! Really! But only once that I can remember. My Dad would have been great at saving time running through aid stations in a trail race.
I wore my 110 this morning running the neighborhood. I ran all the streets in my small subdivision and it recorded 2.5 miles. FOR 10 YEARS I THOUGHT IT WAS 1.8!
HOW MANY TIMES DID I LOSE .7 miles?

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Why I Run

In reference to my running, I am often asked, "why do you do this?"
After contemplating the question.........................
I run for my Father. my Father who too late in life realized he wasn't invincible. My Father smoked for 40 years and did not always eat well. When he contracted Myastinia Gravis and Diabetes he was forced to change his lifestyle. An illness that doctors thought would take his life in 2 years was held at bay for 10! By eating well and exercising, my Father was able to hang around a little while longer. He knew I was on to something when I began long distance running. On many of my runs I still hear him saying to me "keep it up son, don't ever stop"
I run for my son Matthew, who left us too soon. He was almost 14 yrs old. I run for him because he no longer can. I feel him and talk to him on many of my runs. Before he left he had begun to be aware of his large physique and was trying to stay fit. 4 years earlier I entered him in his first race. He came in last in a field of about 25 kids, but he never stopped trying to run as fast as he could. I will always remember the smile on his face as he crossed the finish line while his name was announced over the loudspeaker. One day I will see him again. Until then I carry him with me on my runs.
I run for my friends and family. Not only those I run with now, but also those I hope to run with in the future. Those I run with with now help me as much or more than I think I help them. Running friends help to motivate me. We share stories, aches, pains,laughter, and encourage and congratulate each other. Those I hope to run with in the future are family and friends who are in need of someone to motivate them. People who know they need exercise but need that little push. I try to help them stop finding excuses and putting up barriers that keep them from walking,running and just plain exercising.
I run for myself. As a child I was always physically active. As a young adult I smoked for 16 years, did not have a healthy diet and sat watching television for hours on end. At age 27 (with a push from my brother Andy) I became active again and began associating with active people. Soon I was playing team sports, and biking, golfing, running. This change in lifestyle helped me to make better nutrition choices for better performance.
The human body is meant to move! A fit body functions better and lasts longer. I don't want to live forever, but as long as I am here I wish to feel my best. Running clears the mind, flushes toxins from the body and allows us to enjoy nature and relate to friends and Family who run with us, in person, or in our hearts.

Running roads, running trails, Reflecting.

Friday, April 6, 2012

New Toy

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Drenched

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Paul leading the way on the North Kaibab Trail_The Grand Canyon